Punta de Mita is Mexico's "Malibu"

See Orange County Register Travel News story: Surf legend Gerry Lopez stood next to me on stand-up paddleboard, watching a bump in the ocean grow as it inched toward us. "Paddle, paddle, you got it," the "Pipeline master" said in a gentle, encouraging tone. I dug my paddle deep into the ocean's clear blue surface, trying to maintain my balance, and the wave picked the board up under my feet. Soon I was gliding down the line clutching my paddle with Lopez, one of the best tube riders and most respected surfers in the world, behind me.

Review of surf breaks around Punta Mita peninsula.

The CoveLocation: Punta de Mita Point, southern most bay Quality: Guides say it’s the best break around. Access: Ponga from Punta de Mita, or 40 minute rocky walk. Tide: High, gets shallow on low tideNotes: Tourists competing for the ride of their trip. Go early. More: Exposed and not protected from wind, gets junky. El AncloteLocation: In front of condos Type: Longboard, right Quality: Good beginner break. Mellow pitch, slow, and long. Tide: Most, inside gets shallow. Be sure to find best path out. More: Usually 2-4 ft, right La LanchaLocation: 1.5 miles south of El Anclote Type: Longboard, most rights, few lefts Quality: Good longboard waveAccess: Ponga or 40 minute beach walk from Punta de Mita Tide: Best on incoming tide, then outgoing tide. Shallow on low tide More: Goes when everything else is flat. Watch out for Coral heads, especially near the take off. Punta BurrosLocation: 10 minutes south of El Anclote at Palladium Vallarta Resort Type: Longboard, shortboardQuality: Great, favorite break in the area Access: Stay at resort or park outside the resort gate on the left, near the taxis. Find path along the fence line to the left. Tide: High is best, but works on most anything. Note: Can get busy on weekends with locals and resorters More: Left is steeper and throws a bit. Right is longer with a mellower pitch. Because Burros has easy access, ponga drivers push The Cove and La Lanca. San PanchoLocation: 30 minutes north of El Anclote in San Panhco, a.k.a. San FranciscoMore: Fast short break that doesn’t always go. SayulitaLocation: 20 minute north of El Anclote Type: Longboard, shortboard. Mostly rights Quality: Decent wave that goes without much swell. Tide: works on most any tide Notes: Crowded with locals and tourists More: Has become crowded and very busy.